16 North Road Stevenage Herts SG1 4AL

Decided 26/00234/ENQA
Council
Date received
12 Mar 2026
Date validated
12 Mar 2026
Postcode
SG1 4AL

Description

16 North Road is a specimen of the 1914 vintage and one of two remaining substantial properties on North Road set in a 1/3rd acre site site the Lister Hospital. The demise comprises a three story residential house of some 5,000sq/ft and two story offices of 2,000sq/ft. We are contemplating a conversion to a nursery and wish to have advice from SBC as to the acceptability. The property has a 'U' shape drive that offers good traffic management - with an 'in' and 'out' onto North Road, there is also parking for eight cars. The configuration of the property offers ideal accommodation for adaptation to a nursery covering all ages and abilities. We are interested to know if this use is acceptable within current SBC plans and policies. Also, if a planning application would likely be recommended for approval or rejection?

8/10
Planning Authority Score
#18 of 277

Stevenage is faster than most councils at deciding householder applications, ranking #32 out of 277. Only 14% of applications have the time limit extended, well below the 40% national average - the council usually decides on time. Householder applications are slightly more likely to be approved here (93%) than the national average (90%).

Stevenage decision performance
Based on MHCLG data, 2025
94%
Overall approval rate
Above avg (87%) #47 of 277
93%
Householder approved
Above avg (90%) #127 of 277
95%
Decided in 8 weeks
Above avg (71%) #32 of 277
14%
Extended time limit
Below avg (40%) #9 of 277
76%
Minor dwellings approved
17 decided (1-9 homes)
100%
Major dwellings approved
6 decided (10+ homes)
92%
Change of use approved
24 decided
266
Total decisions
16 refused in 2025